Understanding ‘Cultures of Honor’: Insights from the Indian Context

Description

Page: 260-264

Arpana Beniwal (Department of Applied Psychology, Vivekananda College, University of Delhi, Delhi)

This article attempts to analyze the cultures of honor in India, focusing on various factors including cultural, societal, and political. Unlike the US, where “honor” often leads to personal actions, in India, honor or “izzat,” is closely tied to family reputation, especially in states like Punjab and Haryana. In a patriarchal society like India, men are expected to uphold family honor, and women’s roles are determined mainly by traditional norms. Any behaviours that are against this patriarchal setup often leads to aggression and violence. Honor killings are one form of this violence that is often carried out by powerful local bodies like Khap Panchayats who feel that they are guardians of the society. The present article explores the intersections of gender, caste, politics, and societal norms in understanding honor-based violence in certain regions of India. While legislative efforts exist to curb such practices, however, change is slow. This article uses a social constructionist framework to explore how honor is culturally constructed and enforced, emphasizing the need for broader societal shifts to address honor-based violence in India.